Last year’s spring cleanup in Unity cleared away 40 large bins of trash from yards and roadsides in the community, and township officials hope to dispose of even more unsightly debris when they repeat the event April 30.

This year, there will be expanded locations in township neighborhoods for the drop-off bins. Also, Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling will waive the normal fees for unwanted tires and Freon-containing appliances that township residents take to the recycling center near Pleasant Unity between 8:30 a.m. and noon that day.

The center will be open that day only for Unity residents, who will be asked to show proof of residency.

“It’s a great opportunity for the residents,” said township Supervisor Ed Poponick. “They can do it free of charge.”

Chairman Mike O’Barto said the supervisors are looking for volunteers who are interested in collecting litter along township roads on the cleanup day or during the preceding week. Safety vests will be available.

”A lot of people participated last year,” O’Barto said of the cleanup. “We hope that even more will participate this year.”

“It’s a great thing,” said Supervisor John Mylant. “It will help clean up some of the blight.”

The large bins will be for disposal only of normal household rubbish that would otherwise be left for pickup by residents’ regular garbage haulers, according to township ordinance officer Greg Fumea. Items that may not be placed in the bins include tires, appliances, paint, poisonous chemicals, oils, fluorescent light bulbs, batteries and other hazardous materials.

In addition to tires and appliances containing Freon, materials that township residents may take to the Westmoreland Cleanways center on the cleanup day include scrap metal; electronics; used motor oil; lead acid batteries; polystyrene foam packaging; clear, green or brown glass bottles; cardboard; and paper separated by type — books, newspaper, white office paper, mixed paper.

Among items that won’t be accepted at the center are household trash, furniture, mattresses, toilets, car fluids, chemicals, paints and stains.

Executive Director Mike Skapura said Westmoreland Cleanways will pursue grant funding to help reimburse its costs for handling tires collected during the cleanup. Its usual per-tire fees begin at $4, for car and light truck tires that are off the rim.

“We had 1,203 tires taken to Westmoreland Cleanways last year,” said Fumea. “I’d love to see 2,000 tires taken up there this year.”

O’Barto noted the township spent about $16,000 to dispose of the trash collected last year in the bins, which were provided by Salandro’s Refuse.

Last year, drop-off bins were stationed in Pleasant Unity and the villages of Baggaley, Dorothy, Whitney, Lloydsville and Marguerite.

This year’s additional locations include the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church on Mission Road and the Crabtree, Dry Ridge and Mutual fire stations.

The bins can be used by residents as soon as they are in place.

Bins also will be available at the township office at 154 Beatty County Road.

Questions about the cleanup can be directed to Fumea at 724-539-2546, ext. 4026.

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